Wednesday, July 15, 2026
The Invite
Olivia Wilde directs & stars in The Invite. This is a comedy drama exploring marriage & relationships. Unbeknownst to the husband Joe (Seth Rogen), his wife Angela (Wilde) has invited their noisy upstairs neighbors Pina & Hawk (Penelope Cruz & Edward Norton) for dInner. This small dinner party quickly becomes awkward & uncomfortable as true feelings are being repressed & silenced out of politeness & respect. But as the evening progresses, surprising revelations are made when the truths come blurting out. Then, things take a spicy turn as more personal intimate details are revealed. This a hilarious scripted dialogue between Joe, Angela, Pina, & Hawk. The performances are terrific as well as the group chemistry. Set mainly in one small apartment, the camera work delivers some interesting visuals. The relation vibes feel real & honest as suppressed resentments & frustrations edge forward. These are two very different couples exploring the possibilities of a common interest. How will this night end? New friendships? More than just friends? Back to square one?
Alien gives it 3 “awkward to titillating” stars out of 4.
